NCTD: 2009 Mazda CX-7

Seats five, decent cargo space, zoomy.

Model Lineup

Mazda CX-7 comes in three trim levels, all with the same engine, a 244-horsepower, turbocharged four-cylinder. The transmission is a six-speed automatic with a Sport shift feature. Front-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel drive is optional ($1700).

Mazda CX-7 Sport ($23,900) is the least expensive model. Air conditioning and cloth upholstery are standard, as are cruise control and the usual complement of power windows, mirrors and locks. A six-way, manually adjustable driver's seat is standard, along with a tilt steering wheel hosting cruise and secondary audio controls, satellite radio pre-wiring, 60/40 split folding rear seatbacks, and carpeted floor mats. New for 2009 are a four-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with automatic volume control and auxiliary input jack, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Heated front seats are available ($450) and now include eight-way power adjustment for the driver. A Preferred Equipment Package ($315) adds a cargo net, cargo tray, retractable cargo cover, rear bumper guard, and wheel locks.

Mazda CX-7 Touring ($25,800) comes with leather upholstery, heated front seats with eight-way power for the driver, and the retractable cargo cover.

Mazda CX-7 Grand Touring ($26,700) upgrades with automatic climate control, unique trim for the leather seats and steering wheel, electroluminescent gauges with indirect blue lighting, auto-dimming inside mirror with a universal garage-door opener, and an outside temperature readout. Also standard are fog lamps, automatic xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, high-gloss painted wheels, and chrome door handles. New for 2009 are heated outside mirrors with integrated turn-signal repeaters. A Preferred Equipment Package ($190) for Touring and Grand Touring adds a cargo net, cargo tray, rear bumper guard, and wheel locks.

The Moonroof/Bose Audio/6CD Changer Package ($2,060), expanded for 2009, includes Sirius Satellite Radio with a six-month subscription and Bluetooth phone capability, a nine-speaker Bose sound system with a 6CD in-dash changer, and a tilt-and-slide power moonroof. The Technology Package ($4,485) includes all of that and adds a DVD-based navigation system with touch-screen LCD and voice command, Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System, rearview camera, and perimeter alarm.

Options include Sirius Satellite Radio with six month's pre-paid subscription ($430), cargo net ($50), cargo tray ($50), retractable cargo cover ($125), remote engine start ($350), auto-dim inside mirror with compass and programmable garage-door remote ($275), auto-dim inside mirror with just the compass ($200), moonroof wind deflector ($70), fog lamps ($250), all-weather floor mats ($78), front and rear mudguards ($125), Class II trailer receiver hitch with ($350) or without ($335) wiring harness, and wheel locks ($50).

Safety features on all models include frontal airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags (to minimize upper body injuries), front and rear side air curtains (to minimize head injuries) with extended inflation (for added protection in the event of a rollover) and a fold-away brake pedal assembly (to reduce threat of injury to the driver's feet in frontal crashes). All CX-7 models come with three-point seatbelts (so be sure to use them), adjustable head restraints at all outboard seating positions, and rear-seat child safety seat anchors (LATCH). To help drivers avoid accidents, the CX-7 comes standard with four-wheel antilock disc brakes (to permit steering the car under hard braking) with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist (to maximize stopping power in emergencies); plus electronic stability control (to correct for driver error in evasive maneuvers) and traction control (to improve traction and stability on slippery surfaces).